Welcome to Baltimore
Baltimore! The very word means numismatic excitement! Three times each year, Whitman Publishing LLC presents the Whitman Coins & Collectibles Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center. The March show is a highlight for everyone — collectors, dealers, and all other enthusiasts. It is the place to be for endless activity for several days. We are honored to have maintained our position as the only official auctioneer of this dynamic convention since its first debut, and hope to see you there for the latest event!
As you browse through this catalog, we hope you enjoy The Charles A. Wharton Collection, featured in Session Three and the Cherry Blossom Collection featured in our Rarities Night Auction. As told in the introduction to that section, the consignor of the Wharton Collection is the very definition of a numismatic connoisseur. Other important consignments add to what will be remembered as one of the most significant sales of our time.
The Expo features hundreds of dealers, thousands of attendees, and a venue that is very pleasant. Located in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, the Convention Center is close to fine hotels, restaurants, and shopping. Numismatic tradition abounds. The Monumental City, as it is nicknamed by virtue of its many civic monuments, was home to John Work Garrett, who is renowned for forming the greatest collection ever in the 19th century. Our sale of The Garrett Collection for The Johns Hopkins University will forever echo in the halls of numismatics. The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection was formed here as well—which upon completion in November 1950 became the first (and will always remain the only) complete collection of United States coins with every date and mintmark from the 1793 half cent to the 1933 double eagle. Our sales of this unique cabinet will be forever remembered as well. Other Baltimore luminaries include Mendes I. Cohen, Dr. George Massamore, Waldo C. Newcomer, and our recently departed fine friend, Dr. George Fuld.
Coin and Medal Highlights
From classic rarities to popular type coins, our sale has something for everyone. Rarities always attract excitement, and they will be offered in spades! Our auction spans three days, with Rarities Night on Thursday as the capstone.
Among early issues a silver 1781 Libertas Americana medal will draw bids from all directions. It was voted No. 1 in the Whitman book, The 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens. Silver impressions are very rare, and the Wharton specimen is particularly nice. Keeping it good company is a 1776-dated (circa 1789) Washington Before Boston silver medal, a prize rarity. High-grade state coppers of the 1785-1788 era will be presented, and a beautiful 1776 Continental Currency dollar is important. A Choice Mint State 1787 Ryder 3-G Massachusetts cent is one of the finest known, and our 1786 Non Vi Virtute Vici copper is yet another notable highlight.
A silver Declaration of Independence medal by Charles Cushing Wright, the most accomplished medalist of the mid-19th century, will attract wide interest. Among 20th century issues, the gold 1936 Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to Argentinean scholar and statesman Carlos Saavedra Lamas is one of a kind. In our offering of The Reinhold R. Giersch Collection of Medals, the word unique is common! Other medals are of interest and importance as well.
Among federal coins a near-Mint 1811 half cent is among the finest of its kind. An amazing 1794 cent, Sheldon-31, grading MS-66 will command attention, and early silver coins, Liberty Seated issues, Barber denominations, and 20th century scarcities and rarities will delight. We mention a Gem 1916 Standing Liberty quarter with Full Head as an example. A choice Mint State 1797 BB-71 dollar is one of the finest offered in recent times. Morgan dollars include Carson City issues, rare mintmarks, Proofs, and more. An 1858 Proof set from the cent to the Liberty Seated dollar is one of few offered in our time. Other notable high-grade Proof silver is important.
Among gold coins, an 1858 Proof-67 Ultra Cameo gold dollar from The Ed Trompeter Collection will raise the temperature in the auction room, as will a Gem Proof 1858 quarter eagle from The Eliasberg Collection, and a Superb Gem Proof 1858 half eagle tracing its pedigree to our sale of The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Likely, it will be many years before a comparable 1858 trio is offered. A Gem Proof 1879 Stella from The Cherry Blossom Collection will be just right for the lucky bidder who captures it. Early and late eagles in high grades will cross the block, including an incredible Proof-68 1912 Indian ten. Gem Proof double eagles in multiples will cross the block as will Superb Gem Mint State MCMVII (1907) High Relief double eagles of the wire rim and flat rim varieties, not to overlook many scarce and rare other gold coins from dollars to double eagles.
Other highlights include classic era commemoratives such as multiple (!) Gem specimens of the octagonal and round 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition $50 coins. Private gold ranges from a Mint State Christopher Bechtler gold dollar to a nice 1851 Augustus Humbert octagonal $50.
Apart from rarities you will find a wonderful selection of “type” coins in all series, Morgan dollars (America’s favorite series among 19th century coinage), commemoratives, 19th and 20th century silver and gold, and more.
Plan to Participate!
If you plan to come to Baltimore, the red carpet will be rolled out for you. Have a question? We’re here to help, from lot viewing through the sale sessions to pick-up. If you cannot join us, good news: our website allows you to the opportunity to participate in real time and bid on items being offered on the live auction floor. You may also arrange to bid by telephone on important lots, simply by contacting our customer service team at 800.458.4646.
After our Baltimore sale closes we have a special Internet-only section with its own delights and treasures. Plan to be a part of that as well.
Thank you for your interest and participation in our sale.
Sincerely,
Q. David Bowers
